Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Aijaz Assad Tuesday ruled out the probability of fresh lockdown in Srinagar saying the administration cannot punish the entire city for a few areas violating State Executive Committee (SEC) guidelines.
He also said that legal action will be taken against those who do not follow the guidelines vis-à-vis social or cultural gatherings in the summer capital.
“State Executive Committee has issued clear-cut guidelines with regard to social or cultural gatherings and whoever violates those guidelines will face music. Those who do not seek permission or give an undertaking will be punished as no one is above the law nor do we let anyone commit a breach,” he said.
DC Srinagar was, however, quick to add that Srinagar city has over the past few weeks witnessed a spike in COVID positive cases and the administration is looking at the changing trend meticulously.
“Compared to other districts, Srinagar city has witnessed a slightest spike in COVID-19 positive cases over the past few weeks. Since the cases come from few clusters, we cannot punish the entire city for few areas wherein SEC guidelines are violated,” Assad told reporters after attending a meeting of trade and transport bodies at Banquet Hall here.
He said the deadly pandemic is impossible to be contained until and unless the civil society plays its role to make common people understand their responsibility. “DC Srinagar said that administration alone cannot win the war against COVID-19 unless the people learn to implement COVID-19 appropriate behavior,” he said.
“We may not be able to win the war against COVID-19 unless the people adhere to the COVID-appropriate behavior; it’s the role of the civil society as well to make the common people conscious about their responsibilities,” added DC Srinagar.
Replying to a query on reports of overcharging on face masks in many areas of the city, he said the administration will certainly take note provided the people bring the issue of overcharging of facemasks into its notice.
He also said that trade and transport bodies have assured that they will cooperate and help the administration to implement the COVID-appropriate behavior.
